WHAT S THE BUZZ? August 6, 2017 NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

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1 The CHIMES MUHLENBERG: A WELLSPRING OF GRACE Muhlenberg Lutheran Church strives to be a Wellspring of God s Grace in Jesus Christ. Open Authentic Relational Serving Published Weekly by Muhlenberg Lutheran Church 281 East Market Street, Harrisonburg, Virginia Phone: address: info@muhlenberglutheran.org Website: Pastor Brett Davis: davis@muhlenberglutheran.org Pastor Bob Humphrey: humphrey@muhlenberglutheran.org August 6, 2017 NINTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST WHAT S THE BUZZ? TODAY AT MUHLENBERG FROM OUR CONGREGATION COUNCIL LEADERS A letter was sent August 1 announcing news of Pastor Brett Davis resignation to accept a call to serve as pastor of Georgetown Lutheran Church. While we are surprised and sad at this news, we are excited for both our pastors as they follow God s call and head in new directions of ministry. As your leaders, we want you to know that we are going to keep you informed of each step along the way, and we hope that you ll step up with us to lead and shape the future of our amazing congregation! You can pick up a copy of the letter at the Connection Center in the Gathering Area today; it includes some Q & A which we hope will be helpful in light of this news. We, your Congregation Council, meet with Bishop Mauney tomorrow evening to discuss interim pastoral support and next steps. Kristee Trumbo (President) Vicki Heitsch (Vice President) Stefanie Eye (Secretary) Terry Looney (Treasurer) Dennis Baugh, Sandra Blade, Bill Compton, Karen Matthias, Melissa Perritt, Sarah Sunde, Pete Weaver, Greta Willis, & Anna Derrick (Youth Representative) WELCOME, BARBARA BOOTHE We welcome Barbara Boothe into membership at the 11:00 service. Her contact information is 4058 Woodside Drive, Apt. 23, H burg 22801, / baboothe@yahoo.com. Barbara is from Lynchburg, VA and originally from western NY. She has two children and five grandchildren. Her son s family lives in Leesburg, VA and her daughter s family lives in Yorktown, VA. Barbara worked at Liberty University for 40 years! She spent 35 years in administration and five years as online professor. She likes quilting, music and reading. Barbara moved to Sunnyside in August She loves a liturgical worship service and just couldn t stay away. WELCOME GUESTS We are blessed to welcome our guests today. We have a gift waiting for you at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Area (main church entrance) and ask that you complete a blue guest card and/or sign our guest register. If you prefer, you may scan this QR code or visit us at to securely register online.

2 TODAY AT MUHLENBERG (CONT D) SUMMER OF SERVICE Through Aug. 28, every Sunday at 9:30 in the Muhlenberg Activities Center (MAC), we're putting our faith in action through hands-on service projects, changing lives for local neighbors all ages, all generations serving side-by-side. Last Sunday, we learned about Second Home and how it meets needs in our community. We made breakfast packs for the students.. For more info, visit Today s Agency: Harrisonburg Rescue Squad (a thank you meal) Next Sunday: Anicira Veterinary Center (pet rescue bags) FIRST SUNDAY ACTIVITIES TODAY we wear name badges to be welcoming and so fellow members can learn your name. Supplies are available in the Gathering Area. We receive non-perishable food donations in the Gathering Area for local area food pantries. Lay Communion Ministers will take Holy Communion to our sick and homebound members who wish to be included. TIME, TALENT & TREASURE LAST WEEK S ATTENDANCE 8:00 Worship 79 Wed. noon 17 9:30 Worship :00 Worship 109 Total 299 MINISTRY OF THE WEEK: EVANGELISM This space features one committee/ministry team each week. Highlights are provided so we become more familiar with their work. Come to Ministries Night (2 nd Monday each month) to join in or learn more. The Evangelism Ministry focuses on how we as a congregation can be more intentional in our outreach about MLC and the Gospel. We welcome anyone interested in working with us on outreach, visitor response, prospective new members, or new member sponsors. Contact Kathy Thompson (thompskb@ jmu.edu / ) or Steve Reich (reichsa@jmu.edu / ) or join us on Ministries Night. FINANCIAL REPORT Through June 2017 Y-T-D Actual Y-T-D Budget Y-T-D Last Year Gifts & Offerings $353,526 $378,763 $340,195 Total Receipts $400,204 $427,056 $384,240 Expenses $430,204 $462,071 $417,298 Excess Income/ (Expenses) $(30,000) $(35,015) $(33,058) Giving in support of our Spending Plan: $ 29, Giving to Other Designated Funds: $ 2, Total Giving for the Week $ 32, *all figures include Simply Giving June Thrivent Choice Dollars: $12 To give online, scan here 2

3 TODAY AT MUHLENBERG (CONT D) GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL Local and Global Mission collects school supplies in the Gathering Area for Second Home TODAY and NEXT Sunday, August 13. A complete list of items is available at the Connection Center. If you want to help but prefer not to shop, please consider a donation by designating Second Home Back to School on your check and envelope. THIS WEEK AT MUHLENBERG ELDERCARE SUPPORT GROUP Meets TOMORROW at 7:00 pm in the Kairos Room. Negotiating the journey of eldercare together...we listen, we laugh, we cry, and we hope you'll join us! Contact Jennie Warner ( or mjwarner1@aol.com) for details. MUHLENBERG NEWS ENDOWMENT FUND EARNINGS DISBURSEMENT The Endowment Earnings Taskforce Group has $8,000 available for disbursement. The group invites members to make requests for use of the funds through an application process. Applications are available at the Connection Center. The deadline to receive them is August 14. Completed forms can be placed in the basket at the Connection Center or Linda Depoy s mailbox in the administrative hallway, or sent to Wanda Hamilton at whamilton48@gmail.com. For more info, contact Wanda by or at MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS ATTENTION ALL CHOIR MEMBERS (AND NEWBIES TOO!) Rehearsals will begin soon! Thanks to all of our current choristers for your ongoing participation and dedication to singing God s praises! If you are new to Muhlenberg, or simply new to singing, and you are interested in one of our choral groups, please contact Elizabeth Williams at: williams@muhlenberglutheran.org. WE DO HAVE A GROUP FOR YOU! Celebration Singers (10 th grade on up!) begins Tuesday, August 22, and rehearses 6:30 7:30 pm. A joy of singing is your only requirement! Sanctuary Choir (10 th grade on up!) Begins Wednesday, August 23, and rehearses 7:15 8:45 pm. Former choral singing is graciously welcomed! Cherub Choir (ages 4 2 nd grade) begins Wednesday, September 6, 4:45 5:15 pm. SonShine Singers (grades 3 6) begins Wednesday, September 6, 5:15 5:45 pm Gloria Dei Ringers (Handbell Choir) begins Tuesday, September 5, 7:00 8:30 pm. If you are interested in learning more about this particular group, please contact Handbell Director Kath Wissinger at for more information. 3

4 MARK YOUR CALENDAR BISHOP INSTALLATION Mark your calendars now to attend the installation of our own Pastor Bob as Bishop of the Virginia Synod, ELCA on Saturday, September 9 at 1:00 pm in Waynesboro at First Presbyterian Church. The Rev. Elizabeth A. Eaton, Presiding Bishop of the ELCA will preside and preach at the installation service. A reception will follow at Grace Lutheran. Because parking will be extremely limited at First Presbyterian, we are looking into arranging bus transportation to this important event so that as many interested congregants can attend as possible. If you are interested in reserving a spot on the bus, sign up in the notebook at the Connection Center as soon as possible or contact Greta Willis (gretakwillis@gmail.com or ). HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SECOND HOME Celebration Invitation Second Home is celebrating its 10 th birthday! Ten years of supporting, teaching, caring. There will be recognition at all services on Sunday, September 17, followed by a reception after each service. There will be a Gala at Bluestone Vineyard Thursday, September 28 at 6:00 pm. For tickets or more information, contact Patty Sensabaugh at TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REFORMATION Celebration Activities Since last year, Christian Formation has been working on plans to celebrate the 500 th Anniversary of the Reformation. Plans include: A Martin Luther music class (led by Jon Gibson). Children Kindergarten 5 th grade will study Martin Luther in October. Color handouts of the 95 Thesis. A Reformation Block Party Sunday, September 24, 3:00-7:00 pm. Flat Luther copies provided for members to send out and see where he travels. Copies of Luther s Small Catechism available for members. Mark your calendars and come and be part of the celebration! For more information, watch The Chimes or contact Diane Bayer (bayer@muhlenberglutheran.org / ). SAVE THE DATE: POTLUCK LUNCH AND CELEBRATION SUNDAY, AUGUST 27 AT 12:15 Join us in the MAC for a potluck lunch and celebration of our years together with Pastor Bob and Pastor Brett. Watch The Chimes for details or contact Fellowship Co-Chairs Machelle Rader (raderpm@jmu.edu / or Hilary Buckless (raderhc@jmu.edu / ). 4

5 LOCAL & GLOBAL MISSION CHRISTIAN FORMATION Contact Council Liaison Karen Matthias ( or for more information. RISE AGAINST HUNGER An international hunger relief organization that distributes food and life-changing aid to the world s most vulnerable. As a part of God's Work/Our Hands Day of Service, Grace Lutheran Church in Waynesboro is hosting a Rise Against Hunger event Saturday, September 16 to assemble and package dehydrated meals for distribution with a goal of finishing a minimum of 10,000 meals at $0.33 a meal. We have 10 MLC volunteers so far with the hope for 20 or more to partner in this pan-lutheran event in our neighboring Southern Valley Conference. For more information or to sign up, contact Karen Matthias TODAY. (see contact info above). OUR COMMUNITY PLACE (OCP) A community center dedicated to including in its activities those struggling with poverty, homelessness, addiction, and difficult life circumstance. OCP needs help with basic food supplies like coffee, oil, flour, salt, etc. They d like to have some regular sponsors willing to buy and deliver the items every month. For example, this could be one 25 lb. bag of rice for $14, or 3 boxes of tea bags for $11 each month. If you or your family (great activity to do with your children!) would be willing to take on a monthly sponsorship. contact Kitchen Coordinator Randi B. Hagi, at Tell him you re from Muhlenberg! 5 Contact Christian Formation Minister Diane Bayer at or bayer@muhlenberglutheran.org for more information. SUMMER OF SERVICE Sundays at 9:30, children newborn-2 years old have a class in the nursery. Children 3 years-5 th grade meet in the church for the Pastor s Children s Time, then go to the MAC to join 6 th -12 th grade youth and adults of all ages. TEACHER CURRICULUM FOR CHILDREN S CLASSES We will meet briefly Sunday, August 20, at 12:15 in the MAC. Receive curriculum for the program year will be available, have questions answered, and meet the other teachers. We look forward to seeing you, and thank you for your willingness to serve as children s Christian Formation teachers! FESTIVAL DAY, SEPTEMBER 10 Mark your calendars for Christian Formation s Festival Day Sunday, September 10. We will also resume Children s Church at 11:00 Watch The Chimes for details and class information. CREATION CARE TIP Creation Care offers a simple tip that will help you protect God s earth. Contact Ramona Sanders for more information: or Your mom was right: there is no reason to leave the lights on after you leave the room. Nearly 15% of your annual electricity bill goes toward lighting your house. In the summer, turning the lights off will also keep the house cooler, so be sure to flip the switch when you leave the room.

6 JOYS, THANKS & CONCERNS This is the space for sharing joys, thanks, and concerns of our congregation, our synod, and the wider church. Please lift these up as a part of your daily prayers. To share joy, thanks, or concern (e.g. birth, illness, injury, or death of an immediate family member; thank-you and congratulatory notes, etc.) contact Parish Administrator Linda Depoy at or depoy@muhlenberglutheran.org. Submissions will be printed with consideration for space and appropriateness at the discretion of the pastors & editor. It was a blessing to be remembered with the beautiful cards I received for my 93 rd birthday. Sincere thanks, Bud Whitmire SERVANT EVENT - SUCCESS! Thank you for your support and prayer for the Junior High Servant Event, attended by Pastor Brett and some of our middle school youth, the week of July It was a fun and meaningful week of serving! We joined with Lutheran pastors and youth from across Virginia in worship, conversation, and fun activities. Each day we served - learning about homelessness, serving a meal, getting to know people, gleaning peaches, working at a thrift store, food banks, local food pantries, and more! This event next summer will be, July 15-20, 2018, for those who have completed grades 6-8. Mark your calendars! DAILY DEVOTIONS PRAYING OUR FAITH TOGETHER! For individual and family use. Scripture citations taken from ELW s 3-Year Daily Lectionary, p , (Year A). Mon. Romans 1:8-15 Tues. Acts 2:37-47 Wed. Matthew 15:32-39 Thu. Acts 17:10-15 Fri. Acts 18:24-28 Sat. Matthew 16:1-4 Sun. Matthew 14:22-33 In the Name of the Father and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. WEEKLY CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS August 7-13, 2017 Mon. 2:00 pm Weekly Staff Meeting 7:00 pm Eldercare Support Group Wed. 12 noon Holy Communion Sun. 8:00, 9:30, 11:00 Holy Communion 9:30 am Summer of Service Second Home School Supply Collection The weekly deadline for routine articles for The Chimes is Thursday at 8 am. Requests for a series, inserts or full-column articles should be made two weeks in advance. Submit information to Linda Depoy (depoy@muhlenberglutheran.org/ ). Additionally, requests to utilize space in the Gathering Area on Sunday or post information at the Connection Center should be made to Linda as soon as planned, but no later than Thursdays at 8 am. Check bulletin boards for community information. Like us at facebook.com/muhlenberglutheran. 6

7 INTERSECTIONS - SUMMER SERIES Jesus tells a lot of nice stories. What do they have to do with our real life? Where would they be set or apply today? After hearing them, freed by God's grace, how does God call us? What do we get to do? Through Sunday, September 3, we're excited to share a summer series we're calling Intersections - to help us think about where real life and faith meet. Worship features a more relaxed feel, familiar hymns and a simpler liturgy. We put away the worship robes until fall. Each week, you can use this new back page of The Chimes for further personal reflection - with space for drawing, writing, with a question or a quote or a way to engage with the scripture. Join us every week you are in town for worship and Summer of Service! Out of town? Make sure you re receiving our weekly to worship wherever you are with weekly scripture, questions, quotes and prayer to ponder and put into practice. Join in and invite a friend to discover Intersections at Muhlenberg! Use this space for personal notes and reflections. TODAY S GOSPEL MATTHEW 14: Now when Jesus heard [about the beheading of John the Baptist], he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd; and he had compassion for them and cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves. 16 Jesus said to them, They need not go away; you give them something to eat. 17 They replied, We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish. 18 And he said, Bring them here to me. 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And all ate and were filled; and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. 7

8 SERMON NOTES, REFLECTIONS & DRAWING SPACE Have at it! Please use this space to make notes, ask questions, doodle, and offer insights or ideas. Kids and adults are welcome to draw we d love to feature some of your drawings, or answer your questions. Keep it for your personal reflection, or place it in the basket at the Welcome Desk in the Gathering Area so that we may respond or share your work/ideas! August 6, 2017 QUOTES TO CONSIDER For not only bread but all things necessary for sustenance in this life are given on loan to us with others and because of others and for others to others through us. -Meister Eckhart c.1260-c QUESTIONS How would you finish the sentence? I have nothing but... to share? How is God filling and feeding you, even in a deserted place? Tear off and take home, share with the pastors, or share with the congregation (place in basket at Welcome Desk)